Just getting to Kauaʻi is expensive. Airfare, car rental, hotel rooms. We get it. But there’s lots to do on the Garden Isle that won’t cost you a thing. 1. Hit the Beach Most beaches in Hawaiʻi are free to visit. (There are some exceptions, including Hāʻena State Park on Kauaʻi’s North Shore, which now […]
The quaint Kauaʻi town of Kōloa stretches from Old Kōloa Town all the way to Poʻipū on the island’s sunny south shore. It was the site of Hawaiʻi’s first commercial sugar mill, which opened in 1835, and its rich history is evident all around the small town. Walk around and see cute boutiques and art
Hiking is one of my favorite ways to explore the place I’m visiting. It’s a great way to learn about and appreciate its unique natural environment—and burn calories, too. (Because eating is my second favorite thing to do!) Kauaʻi boasts miles of trails, from hikes to waterfalls to paths meandering through majestic mahogany trees. Here
In 2002 Ed Justus took a chance. At 18, the Virginia native visited Kaua‘i and fell so in love with the place that he extended his visit. He moved around the island—from Kalāheo to Kapa‘a to Hanapēpē—and paid rent during that time by scouring nearby garage sales for rare items and selling them on eBay.
It’s no secret: Getting to Hawaiʻi isn’t cheap. Airfare—especially in the summer—is expensive, and then you need a hotel room and (we suggest) rental car. It adds up! So finding a hotel that fits your budget—but still offering all the must-have amenities (and beautiful views, too) helps. Here are the Top 5 value hotels on
“It’s like a pad Thai fell into your mai tai.” That’s how Johnny, tiggerish bartender at Kai Maikaʻi, described the Sugarcane Blaze cocktail, an unexpected and fiery combination of smoky mezcal, Kō Hana Kea rum, Ancho Reyes chile liqueur, peanuts and Szechuan pepper orgeat and mango syrup. And he’s not wrong. The cocktail, with a
I had a lot of questions. How cold is the water? How long is the drive? Am I going to freak out in the tunnels? Our guide answered all of my questions—“not very,” “not far,” “no worries”—before I hopped in the open-air, four-wheel-drive vehicle with my 6-year-old son to ride inner tubes down an old
From white sandy beaches to rocky and rugged coastlines, the Garden Isle is home to a diverse selection of breathtaking beaches. Our readers say that these five are the best beaches on Kaua‘i to visit on your next trip. Read More: Our 10 Essential Experiences on Kauaʻi 1. Poʻipū Beach Poʻipū Beach topped the list this
A fraction of a second. That’s what it’s all about. The late-night track preps. The early morning tow. The money. The time. All for a fraction of a second. On the west coast of Kaua‘i, past the small country town of Kekaha—where, for many, farmers markets and shoreline fishing are the premier weekend activities—lies a
Kauaʻi may be the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands—but it’s also one of the most beloved by visitors. Everything about the island—its lushness, its uncrowded beaches, its laid-back vibe—makes for an idyllic Hawaiʻi vacation. But there are things that are unique to the Garden Isle—things you won’t find anywhere else in Hawaiʻi. Read More: Our
There may not be any national parks on Kauaʻi, but the island does boast five—yes, five—state parks with some of the island’s best beaches, trails and vistas. One of the most popular is Kōkeʻe State Park, perched 3,600 feet above sea level on the island’s west side. It’s truly a hiker’s paradise, with 45 miles
The gateway to Hanalei Town and a foodie’s paradise, Postcards Café lives up to its motto as a place “where time stops and memories begin.” The small plantation-style diamond in the rough is just past the one-lane bridge from Princeville. Hanalei, the last town on the North Shore of Kaua‘i, is rich in history, peppered
